I grew up in the quaint little fishing town of Deer River, MN- population: 903. When they say it takes a village to raise a child, they were probably talking about a place like this. (Or they were just talking about hippies. I'm not sure.) Everyone knows everyone there- and while everyone is in your business- they will give you the shirt off their back in a moment's notice. Or in a snowstorm- which we have many. Even in June sometimes. I've seen it.

I enlisted in the Navy right after I graduated high school in which I was promptly whisked away to a private tropical island to play beach volleyball in the sand all day long with my dog tags visibly dangling around my neck.

Just kidding. I was sent to Great Lakes, Illinois to be yelled at by overworked and sleep-deprived division commanders. And so my journey began.

Five years and thirteen countries later- I am now a civilian working for the Navy and a mom of three crazy kiddos. My first children's book, My Mom Hunts Submarines, was written for my children as a way for me to attempt to explain to them what I did while I was in the Navy. (The 'edited for children' version of course.) I found it also benefitted my parents. Finally they understood what I did all those years. Well, mostly.

Really, you don't get a lot of Aviation Warfare Systems Operators showing up on career day at school. I also found that there were very few books on moms in the military. So I had to write one. And that is when I discovered a passion of mine- besides excessively using my label maker- writing for children whose parents have or currently are serving their country.

I also like to start sentences with conjunctions. And write in fragments. If you are an English teacher- just look away. Just look away.

The Veteran Integration Program at Mt Carmel Center of Excellence in Colorado Springs, Colorado provides a wide range of services to help veterans as they transition into civilian life to help make sense of the various resources and opportunities available.

Shepherds for Lost SheepThe Shepherds for Lost Sheep organization was founded by a good friend of mine that I served with in the military. They are a non-profit that rescues dogs, trains them, and pairs them up with veterans in need.

Salute Military Golf AssociationI am a terrible golfer. However, I volunteer for this great organization every chance I can. I have seen how they have transformed the lives of wounded veterans first hand. I love the work they are doing!

The Gary Sinise Foundation:If there was one celebrity I could meet, it would be Gary Sinise. The work he is doing for veterans is so incredibly admirable.